For the final Sunday of Advent, Lauren Roman wrote and delivered a call to worship that reminded us of the great joy Jesus brings.
Joy to the world, the Lord is come!
We’ve sung this song so many times, for so many years … most of us know the words by heart … but what are we singing? What are we saying? What are we praying with these words?
Let earth receive her king!
As we rejoice over the birth of our Savior, are we praying for the earth to receive her King? That every nation, tribe and tongue would know Him as Lord and rejoice with us?
Let every heart prepare Him room!
Have we prepared Him room in our hearts? Maybe we’ve prepared our rooms for Christmas … with gifts and lights and decorations … nativity scenes … from which we have removed the wise men … but has every heart prepared room for Emmanuel, God with us?
And heaven and nature sing!
We join all creation as we rejoice … with praise so great that our song would fill the earth and rise to the very throne of the Father, joining with the angels!
Joy to the world!
That’s the joy I want this Christmas. That’s the joy I want every day of my life! That’s the joy Jesus brings!
“The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them has light shined.” (Isaiah 9:2)
So let us walk as children of light …
“Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise!” (Psalm 95:2)
Let us sing of His truth, His grace, the glories of His righteousness… The wonders of His unfailing love… let our praises ring loud for generations, echoing throughout creation, that it would repeat the sounding joy!
Joy to the world, the Savior reigns!